The Centre has sanctioned Rs 70 crore for the phase-wise renovation of NH31A at a time the Sikkim government has expressed its displeasure over the tardy pace of repair of the highway by the Border Roads Organisation. The national highway is the only road link between the Himalayan state and the rest of the country. The BRO said as much as Rs 51 crore would be spent to convert a 10km stretch from near Kali Jhora to a spot close to Lohapool under Kalimpong subdivision into a two-lane road.